Full, saturated colours have an emotional significance I want to avoid.

I want paint to work as flesh.

I remember Francis Bacon would say that he felt he was giving art what he thought it previously lacked. With me, it's what Yeats called the fascination with what's difficult. I'm only trying to do what I can't do.

The painter must give a completely free rein to any feeling or sensations he may have and reject nothing to which he is naturally drawn.

I never think about my style but just try and make the pictures look believable.

A painter must think of everything he sees as being there entirely for his own use and pleasure.